The assessed values of Stevens County properties are on the rise, according to County Assessor Judy Thorstad. In particular, agricultural property values again saw an increase, following the trend of recent years.

Ag land saw an, on average, 25% increase in assessments for 2014, payable 2015. Tillable land saw an average increase of 27%. Thorstad reports ag land sales varied from $3,438 to $10,065 per acre, with an average sale price per acre of $6,478.

Properties in the City of Morris, while assessed by neighborhood, saw an average increase of 5% and the Cities of Hancock and Chokio saw an average increase between 0-5%. The Cities of Donnelly and Alberta had little changes in property values.

Thorstad notes the numbers are preliminary, with the Department of Revenue to review the assessments in the next few weeks.